Rehearsal Dinner

Seven Willows Weddings and Events

Wedding Day

Ceremony 

Cocktail Hour 

Reception 

Our Wedding

How it All Began 

In January of 2021, I dreaded the hour-long drive to softball practice at UBA in Omaha. Until one day, everything changed. That was the first practice of the season, and it’s when I crossed paths with Jake at the front of UBA where he worked at the time. On the way home, and before officially meeting Jake, I prayed that the Lord would show me that He had placed Jake in my life for a reason. Not even ten minutes later, I got an Instagram friend request from Jake. God’s timing is ALWAYS perfect :) I didn’t know it then, but those drives to Omaha would soon become my favorite part of each week going forward. From that day on, practices turned into something more. Afterward, I would find myself sitting in Jake’s bright orange Jeep, talking for hours about everything and nothing at all, while my parents wondered if I’d ever make it back home. Those parking lot conversations became the highlight of both of our days. By April 2021, we made it “officially official” to everyone else. Jake starting showing up to my track meets and softball games, and I cheered him on at his baseball games. A month later, in May 2021 after we’d gone to Ralston prom together, we officially started dating. That next fall brought a little bit of distance as we both went off to college at different places, Me at Iowa Western playing college softball, and Jake at Briar Cliff playing baseball, but our relationship only grew stronger. In August 2022, I joined Jake at Briar Cliff, where we spent the next three years together, gaining new friends and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Then came July 2024, a moment we’ll never forget. Jake had spent an entire year planning the perfect proposal. He planned a trip to Nashville with both of our families, and completely surprised me with the ring of my dreams. Now, as we look ahead to May 23, 2026, we can’t wait to start this new chapter as husband and wife with Jesus at the center, surrounded by the people who have supported us since the very beginning.

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

Alix Gifford

Christian Berry

Julie Gifford

Auggie Rasmussen

Josie Chronic Rasmussen

Trey Rogers

Jordan Thompson 

Christian Thompson 

Rylan Ewoldt 

Peyton Grant 

Brittany Wulf 

Ayden Fink 

Olivia Valdez

Brock Saya

Ushers and Personal Attendants 

Justin Remar 

Josh Kilzer 

Sydney Haas- Personal Attendant

Alexa King- Personal Attendant 

Q + A

Reservation Instructions: Please call the friendly front desk at 402-423-1176 to reserve a room off the block before April 24, 2026, and ask for a room off the Gifford/Chronic Wedding Block to receive special pricing! You can also use the link provided and it should take you to the booking page! 

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lincoln South

Reservation Instructions: Please call the friendly front desk staff at 402-420-0027 to reserve a room off the block before April 24, 2026, and ask for a room off the Chronic/Gifford Wedding Block to receive special pricing! If using the bookable link attached, click “search”, then group rates will display. Please don’t hesitate to call the number above if you are having issues. 

AmericInn Lincoln South

Travel

Ivanna Cone is around 18 minutes away from the hotels, however once you’re down in the Haymarket there are a million other things to do! 

Karis & Jake

Karis & Jake

Things to Do

Ivanna Cone

Barry's Bar & Grill

Let's Pickle

7 Brew Coffee

402 Creamery